Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-26

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The graph below shows the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Average monthly change in prices of copper, nickel and zinc (2014)

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The line chart presents monthly average changes in the various metals prices in year 2014.

Overall, it is evident that Zinc recorded the highest figure whereas, Nickel is the lowest. Another notable feature is that Copper is fluctuated the whole time of period.

Looking first at Nickel, the figure stood at the highest at the start around 6% in january and decline to approximately 1% in march then fluctuate till may. Furthermore, in june it recorded the lowest figure which is -3% around. It then stays at around -1% from july to september. It fall little and rose again around 1% in november and ends at almost 1% in december. Followed by that, Zinc which stood at 1% in january then decline to almost -1% in june. It then rose and stays same around 1% price change from july to september. After it ends to more than 1% price in december.

Focusing on Copper, it started at 2% price change in january then go down to almost -1% in june. It after stays the same from july to september at almost 1-%. It ends to around 1% in december.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the three metals and report several key movements, including nickel’s high January value and sharp fall to about -3% in June. However, the overview is inaccurate: zinc did not record the highest figure overall—nickel did—and nickel was not the lowest throughout. The claim that copper fluctuated “the whole time” is also too broad, as it remained level in several months. Some later details are misreported: zinc rose to about 1.5% in November and 2% in December, while copper was around 1% from July to September, not “1-%.” To strengthen the response, give a precise overview of the metals’ contrasting patterns and compare their end-of-year recovery as well as their mid-year declines.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and separate discussion of nickel, zinc, and copper. Sequencing within the nickel paragraph is generally easy to follow, and phrases such as “Looking first at” and “Focusing on” help signal shifts. However, the overview’s comparison is unclear, and the transition “Followed by that” does not clearly explain the relationship between the nickel and zinc descriptions. Some linking phrases, including “Furthermore” and “After it,” feel mechanical or imprecise. Grouping the metals by shared stages—early-year changes, the mid-year fall, and the late recovery—would create stronger comparisons and a more continuous progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant chart vocabulary such as “stood at,” “decline,” “fluctuate,” and “recorded the lowest figure,” and the reader can generally understand the trends you describe. However, the range is somewhat repetitive, especially with repeated uses of “figure,” “around,” and “ends.” Several word choices or combinations are unnatural, such as “the various metals prices,” “stays same,” and “ends to more than 1% price.” These reduce precision when describing data. Aim for concise, conventional expressions such as “price change,” “remained stable,” and “rose to,” and use a wider range of accurate trend verbs to distinguish falls, recoveries, and plateaus.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some longer sentences and use time clauses to describe changes, for example, “It then stays at around -1% from July to September.” However, control of verb forms and sentence structure is inconsistent. Examples include “Copper is fluctuated,” “then decline,” “It fall little,” and “then go down,” where the verb forms do not fit the past-time account. There are also problems with articles and sentence construction, as in “stood at the highest” and “It after stays the same.” These errors sometimes make the intended trend harder to follow. Use the past simple consistently for the 2014 data, and practise building accurate sentences with “while,” “before,” and “after” to add variety without losing control.

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